Smelling fantastic from head to toe thanks to products that are environmentally responsible, animal-friendly, and free of all the bad stuff like synthetics and sulfates is as easy as taking a quick trip to Whole Foods or the Vitamin Shoppe (or even just surfing the web). Your quick trip will bring you to this amazing line, Nubian Heritage. I was initially intrigued because they have a full line of Coconut & Papaya products and when it comes to coconut…well, I’m kind of easy. Actually, Nubian Heritage has 15 different collections, from Abyssinian Oil & Chia Seed to Ivorian Cocoa & Hazelnut. Their body products take care of you from head to toe, but before I tell you about those here’s a little more background on the company.

Nubian Heritage first started in Harlem 25 years ago. Richelieu Dennis and Nyema Tubman were college roommates and they wanted to make products using traditional African recipes with fair trade, organic ingredients. In fact, “they were inspired by the legacy of ancient Nubia, which was once a center of cultural trade – a place where goods, ideas, and customs from across Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East were exchanged and spread across the world. The street vendors brought together global healing practices, cultural wisdom and indigenous ingredients to create modern wellness solutions that were highly sought after.”

The product range available at Nubian Heritage is incredible and I am just blown away at the quality of every product I tested. Everything is wonderful, and the prices are fabulously affordable.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Body Lotion

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Body Lotion

Coconut & Papaya Body Lotion ($13): Wow, this smells sooo good!! The Body Lotion is a light, creamy lotion packed full of great ingredients: coconut oil, papaya extract, shea butter, aloe vera, and vitamin E. The papaya extract has papain enzymes, which act as a gentle exfoliator, making skin even smoother and softer. Skin is super hydrated and feels fabulous. The bottle is big and $13 is a great price – a little goes a long way so it’s a nice value, especially for an environmentally conscious company.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Body Wash

Coconut & Papaya Body Wash ($13): The Body Wash smells just as delicious as the Body Lotionand I love showering up with it. It’s a very gentle cleanser but I definitely feel clean afterward, even after a grueling, sweaty workout. Ingredients include lots of hydration for skin, including coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, and papaya.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Deodorant

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Deodorant

Coconut & Papaya 24 Hour Deodorant($9): This is a glycerin/silica/cornstarch based deodorant that stands out for me because it smells so darn good. I am really crazy about this scent! The fact that it also has coconut oil and doesn’t flake or give underarms a white cast is a plus, too.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Hand Cream

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Hand Cream

Coconut & Papaya Hand Cream ($10): The Hand Cream is much thicker than the Body Lotion, so thick it takes some effort to squeeze it out of the tube. The scent, again, is to die for…juicy papaya and deep, rich coconut. This is what you want to slather on dry elbows, scaly knees, and frayed cuticles.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Hand & Body Scrub

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Hand & Body Scrub

Coconut & Papaya Body Cleansing Smoothie (formerly Hand & Body Scrub – $12): Nubian Heritage recently went through some repackaging and I believe they changed the name of this skin exfoliator. Ingredients include coconut oil, papaya, organic shea butter, and vanilla extract. You can use this on your body in the shower to soften rough areas or for an all-over exfoliation. I like to leave it right by the sink and use it on my hands and cuticles. My hands feel totally incredible afterward.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Bath Bombs

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Bath Bombs

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Bath Bombs

Coconut & Papaya Bath Bombs ($15): These effervescent bath bombs really are the bomb! They are made with coconut oil and papaya extract, so like the other products in this line they subtly exfoliate and create glowy skin while also hydrating like crazy. Why not get that lovely skin treatment while relaxing in warm bath water? Aaahhhh….sounds great to me!!

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Bar Soap

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Bar Soap

Coconut & Papaya Bar Soap ($5) This lovely big bar of soap is just wonderful – it has that great coconut and papaya scent, and the soap is full of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. It’s exactly what you want next to the sink so you can relax for that one moment when washing your hands, transported to somewhere tropical and fabulous.

Nubian Heritage has literally hundreds of culturally authentic natural products that are free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, DEA, silicones, mineral oil, petroleum, synthetic fragrance and artificial color, and never tested on animals. You can find them online at NubianHeritage.com or at the Vitamin Shoppe and Whole Foods and other fine retailers. – Lisa

I am a living testament to the effectiveness of Crystal Body Deodorant Roll-On. My recent move not only took place in 90 degree humid weather but the air-conditioning decided to give us fits so it was off. Add to that the stress of the move which made life very uncomfortable.

sample

But I had started using the natural protection of Crystal Deodorant about a week before and have continued ever since. It worked to keep me dry and odor free through that awful time as well as through the days of unpacking 1,234,567 boxes (and counting).

Crystal Body Deodorant Roll-On in Unscented

There are things that make Crystal different than other products you’ve tried. It’s not an antiperspirant which is what you usually pick up in the drugstore. It’s an actual deodorant that doesn’t cover up odor but eliminates it. Crystal’s website says it best:

Crystal™ is the world’s leading natural mineral salt deodorant. It works to prevent odor while other products attempt to mask it or plug pores with harsh chemicals like aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium. Crystal is a hypoallergenic deodorant that is safe, healthy, and totally effective.

Crystal Body Deodorant comes in a variety of forms. You can buy their Crystal Essence which are fragranced roll-ons as well as the fragrance free version that I use (aka Crystal Body Deodorant Roll-On). There’s also the original product that looks like a rock of salt and is called their Body Deodorant Stone. There are 25 products in all that The Crystal Company makes.

Crystal Body Deodorant Roll-On in Unscented

Crystal deodorants are composed of natural mineral salts which form a topical layer on the skin, creating an environment impossible for bacteria to thrive. They eliminate the odor-causing bacteria and therefore prevent body odor. In an ingredient assessment by The Environmental Working Group Crystal ranked as the safest deodorant on the market. Crystal Body Deodorant is made of 100% natural mineral salts, which are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben free, non-sticky, non-staining, dry instantly and leave no white residue. It can be used by both men and women.

I was convinced as soon as I started using this and it only intensified during my recent move. I feel safer using this as it contains no Aluminum Chlorohydrate and it’s proven to be effective for me.

Crystal Body Deodorant Roll-On in Unscented

Now for the good part… 3 US Beauty Info Zone subscribers will win a Crystal Deodorant or Crystal Essence Deodorant of their choice. Crystal Essence is available in 4 fragrances – Lavender & White Tea, Pomegranate, Vanilla Jasmine, and Chamomile & Green Tea. Which sounds like it would fit your style? You’ve got 5 choices so pick one. The giveaway is open for US through 7/24/17 @11:59 p.m. EDT. This may not be a huge giveaway but it’s one that is vital! Good luck — Marcia

*samples provided to facilitate review and giveaway, winners will receive their prize from Crystal or their representatives. You can purchase Crystal at CVS, Walgreen, Rite Aid, Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as many other drugstores. There’s a coupon too for $1 off to use on your purchase.

These days I am paying a lot more attention to certain things in the beauty industry. Who owns the company? Does the company have ethical business practices? What is their goal, and what is their commitment to giving back to society? I like to support companies who think it is important to strive for more than making money and Green Goo is definitely a company that caught my interest based on their mission.

Green Goo is a woman owned and family operated business. They use homeopathic herbal wisdom and natural ingredients to create fantastic body care products. All ingredients are organic, and Green Goo is a certified B Corporation, committed to donating a percentage of their profits to people who are instrumental in making our world a better place for everyone.

press sample

Green Goo has lots of first aid products that don’t increase resistance to antibiotics and I hope to try some of them soon. They also have some really cool looking products for ‘fur and feathers’, homeopathic pet care items. This time I went for two of their body products: Cinnamon & Aloe Mighty Handscrub Bar ($5.95) and 100% All Natural Deodorant Travel Stick ($5.95).

Green Goo Cinnamon & Aloe Mighty Handscrub Bar

Green Goo Cinnamon & Aloe Mighty Handscrub Bar

The Cinnamon & Aloe Mighty Handscrub Bar smells amazing. The cinnamon is quite pronounced, but it isn’t bitter the way an overabundance of cinnamon can get. The soap smells like a Red Hot…remember those?? The cinnamon stimulates the skin, creating a warm sensation. Anyone into gardening or working with their hands will love this exfoliating soap. It’s actually terrific for anyone who washes their hands all the time because it has tons of soothing aloe.

Green Goo Cinnamon & Aloe Mighty Handscrub Bar

It’s great for stimulating circulation while also making skin super soft. Green Goo has lots of soaps from shampoo bars to deodorant bars and if you plan to try some be sure to put a bar of the Cinnamon & Aloe into your shopping cart.

Green Goo 100% All Natural Deodorant Travel Stick

Green Goo 100% All Natural Deodorant Travel Stick

The All Natural Deodorantcomes in three different scents – Lavender & Thyme, Lemongrass & Sage, Rose & Geranium – as well as in unscented. You can buy a full size or a handy .6 oz travel size, which is what I tried. I’ve tried a lot of natural deodorants in the past and find that most of them don’t really work for me. This one, however, does work and it’s super gentle and free of aluminum and propylene glycol.

Green Goo 100% All Natural Deodorant Travel Stick

Green Goo 100% All Natural Deodorant Travel Stick

My 17-year-old daughter saw it and asked if she pretty please could have it…the travel size is fabulous and an all natural deodorant that works is a real find. I finally relented, but I am going to pick up the Lemongrass & Sage version to replace it.

Green Goo is the kind of company that I can really get behind. The products are organic and based on homeopathic herbal wisdom, and Green Goo is committed to helping the environment and helping people. I love this company and I am sure you will too! – Lisa

I look at QVC every day to see their TSV. I’ve gotten some amazing buys on products that I need for myself or my home. I’ve also kicked myself when I’ve let something go that I should have bought. An example is that I bought a set of sheets for one bed and totally forgot at the time that I needed a set for another bedroom. It went back to full price and now I have to wait.

Don’t wait to get your hands (or pits) on this Lavanila Deodorant Set that’s a $44 dollar value but will cost just $26.50 on 6/7/16 at QVC on TV or on QVC.com.

Lavanilla deodorant set – a TSV on QVC

The founder of Lavanila is Danielle Raynor and she’ll be speaking live at midnight when the TSV starts. I’ve seen her in magazines where she’s explained how she got started and about the purity and goodness of her brand. She’ll be fun to see and learn from.

This special is $26.50 and will contain 2 full size and 2 travel sizes of the deodorant in both Vanilla Coconut and Vanilla Grapefruit. These 2 are perfect for summer especially. Lavanila Deodorant is formulated with antioxidants and essential oils.

Here’s what you need to know about this vegan, cruelty-free brand’s deodorant:

Do you love coconut? If so Lavanila Vanilla Coconut is going to be amazing: “Paradise Found. This exotic blend of young coconut, Tahitian tiare flower, and warm Madagascar vanilla is created by master natural perfumers who use only the finest pure essential oils. Carefree and tropical, escape to the island of healthy delights.”

LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit

Do you love grapefruit? LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit will delight you: “This invigorating blend of sparkling grapefruit, crisp cedarwood, lime and Madagascar vanilla is created by master natural perfumers who use only the finest pure essential oils. Kissed by sunshine, this unique scent lifts the spirits.”

REMEMBER to tune in at midnight or during the day on 6/7 for this great set. — Marcia

While we do have a giveaway that LaVanila is kindly going to send to one winner, that’s only 1 of you so enter but buy too. Giveaway rules: Open to US only. We have two requirements: subscribe to Beauty Info Zone and comment on the giveaway. The rest of the entries are extra options to help you win. This is open through 6/21/16 at 11:59 p.m. ET. If comments close please email me with your comment to [email protected] so you can continue on.

Holiday parties. They can be so much fun…or they can be so embarrassing thanks to unforeseen fashion emergencies. Help is here with 5 essentials to save you from potentially embarrassing situations…who wants to be the subject of the water cooler gossip on Monday? Not us, and we won’t be with these awesome situational saviors that are all available at Ulta Beauty.

1. What is worse than making small talk with someone who has nasty breath? Finding out later that YOU were the source of the nastiness. The perfect antidote to bad breath (and exactly what you need to prevent it from happening in the first place) are the EV32 Breath Treatment Crystals. My favorite flavor is Peppermint, and an 18 pack is only $15 – a small price to pay for minty-fresh, inoffensive breath you can count on. A hip alternative to gum or mints, they ‘pop’ in your mouth – sort of like Pop Rocks (those of you who grew up in the 1980’s remember those!) and they fit perfectly in your purse.

2. Ok, bad breath is awful…but how about looking down and realizing you have a big old wet ring under your arms? I love the Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes ($9). A single swipe keeps sweat at a minimum and does double duty as a deodorant as well. These are must-haves at a party, especially when you know that super cute guy from accounting is going to be there too.

3. Look, we all know – everybody poops. However, a holiday party is the WORST place to suddenly have an emergency digestion issue, but it’s all the more likely thanks to that rich food you aren’t used to eating. What is a girl to do??? Always carry a bottle of Poo-Pourri Before You Go Toilet Spray ($10). This stuff works. Just spray it on the top of the toilet water and regardless of the intensity or duration of your toilet emergency, there will be NO lingering scent. Everyone should have one of these. I have a friend whose mother puts one in everyone’s stocking each Christmas. No joke – get this!

4. So you are at a party and happen to look into a mirror. You suddenly realize that it looks like you’ve been up for an entire week binge-watching Homeland. Oh, and you also have a big old zit that definitely wasn’t there an hour ago. Duck into the bathroom and take care of both instantly with IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer ($24, the travel size is only $10!). The tube is a perfect size for your purse and the concealer looks totally natural but covers even the darkest circles, the biggest zits, and the most glaring red spots.

5. As careful as you might be getting ready, it’s inevitable – you get to the party and see gray roots that weren’t showing before. Or, your hair has gotten as oily as a 13-year-old boy who hasn’t showered in 48 hours. Or, your hairdo has fainted and become a flat, sad hair don’t. No worries if you have your travel size can of AG HAIR Travel Size Brunette Dry Shampoo (10.95)! This handy-dandy stuff makes oily roots, flat hair, and grey roots disappear like magic.

Don’t be afraid of those holiday parties…with these 5 miracles from Ulta Beauty you can party with total confidence!! – Lisa #UltaTrendAlert #StyleHunters4Ulta @UltaBeauty

So why did I decide to review a deodorant? It’s typically something that we don’t talk much about and that most of us take for granted. Here are just a few reasons why:

1. Most deodorants that are around aren’t unscented. That may not matter to a lot of you but it does to me. I had cut out all fragrance from my life due to migraines. My sense of smell is heightened because of that. To me most drugstore products have a sweet artificial smell. NATIVE DEODORANT comes in 3 scents with Unscented being the first they developed. The company worked hard to add in some fragrances though because they know that most people like a scent but they wanted only the most pleasant and natural fragrances to be added. Recommended for women is their Lavender & Rose while for men the recommendation is Fresh & Clean.

2. When I learned about this deodorant I realized it was something I really wanted to try. The first thing I learned is that deodorant works by eliminating and absorbing the moisture and odors associated with sweat.

3. It’s made in the USA.

4. To sweeten the pot the company offered a giveaway for 5 US readers. Now how could I resist after all of this? Obviously I didn’t because I’m here to tell you more about NATIVE DEODORANT and to share this giveaway.

Native Deodorant

What makes Native unique is that this is a deodorant that is made without the use of aluminum or parabens. While no scientists are saying for sure that the use of aluminum will cause disease, it has been linked to both Alzheimers and Breast Cancer. Native is made from simple and natural ingredients like beeswax, baking soda, coconut oil and shea butter.

Native Deodorant Ingredients

Before Native brought their product to the marketplace they tested hundreds of ingredients and formulas for over 18 months. Their goal was to make sure that their deodorant could be applied easily, would feel great under your arms and protect you against odors all day long. Does it do that? In my experience I’ve got to say yes.

Native Deodorant

I’ve been using this every single day for over 6 weeks and the weather has been the typical summer with high humidity, soaring temperatures, rain, sunshine, and clouds. When I started using this it was in the 90’s every day for a week. And it passed the hot weather test. They say that it takes up to two weeks to detox from your old deodorant that contains aluminum but I didn’t notice that at all.

One thing to note is that a little goes a long way. This isn’t wet because it’s solid, so I can put my clothes on instantly and not worry about it drying. It also feels like I haven’t made a dent in this. I’ve turned it up just twice in the time I’ve been using it. Once to start it, once because I felt like it. I’m sure it will take me months more to finish this up.

The way that Native sells on their website is 2 sticks for $20. There’s free shipping (gotta love that) and you pick the frequency of delivery. With two sticks I’d personally only need to order it once every six months but if you were getting one for you and one for someone else then you’d need it more often. Plus you can always stop a scheduled delivery so no problem.

To learn more about this natural deodorant please read The Unknown Beauty Blog’s review of it. Not only does she explain things beautifully but she has a coupon code to share with you.

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION: This is open to US Subscribers only through Wednesday September 23, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. EST. If comments close you can email me with your comment at [email protected] and label it Native, then press that entry button and continue on. 5 people will win one Native Deodorant in their choice of scent: Unscented, Lavender & Rose, or Fresh & Clean. The formula is the same on all of these, it’s just the fragrance that’s different. That’s it! Easy peasy. It may seem like a simple prize but it’s useful and effective and that’s what counts. — Marcia

Time to toss! I am gearing up for some spring cleaning and first on my list is my vanity. Clearing out feels so good…I love it when things are organized and sparkling clean. Besides, extra space means room for new things!

Does your cosmetics stash look like this??

Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets and pantries – it is so important to also tackle that beauty stash. Time goes by fast and before your know it you have beauty items that are years old. Anything you use with your hands or put on your face eventually gathers bacteria and can cause breakouts and other skin issues. Items with active ingredients become inactive over time, becoming an exercise in futility. Besides, it’s fun to go through and edit your cosmetics and skin care, plus what a great opportunity to go shopping to replenish!

If you are like me, the memory fades, so when you purchase a new item mark the date on the bottom of the jar with a black sharpie. It makes spring cleaning much easier. Also, most skin care items have an open jar symbol followed by a number and the letter ‘M’. This tells you how many months you can use the product after opening it – so 6M means six months after opening, 9M means nine months after opening, etcetera. Don’t forget, when using products packaged in jars NEVER stick your fingers in the jar. Use a small cosmetics spatula to spoon out the product so you aren’t introducing bacteria into the jar.

Here are the top 8 items that you need to toss, along with some suggestions for replacements. Meijer just announced an exciting lineup of new beauty items, so it’s a great place to shop to renew that beauty routine and you can find all of my suggestions there.

L’Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler Serum

1. Serum: I am sure this is no surprise. Typically serum is in air tight packaging, which keeps ingredient integrity, but once you start using a serum it’s only good for about six months. Toss it even earlier if the texture changes or it starts to smell weird. If you need to replenish, check out L’Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler. It is wonderfully affordable and has hyaluronic acid to plump skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Powder Foundation

2. Foundation: obviously, liquid foundation is a bacteria collector, especially jar-based foundation that is exposed to the air. But did you know that powder foundation also goes bad? Think about it…you dip your brush into the foundation, the brush goes on your skin, then you dip that brush back onto the foundation…all those skin oils are transferred into the powder, which means after a while it becomes pretty dirty. Toss that old stuff and try something new, like L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Powder Foundation. This is opaque enough to use as foundation, and it also works great as a pressed powder to cancel out a shiny nose.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara and Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom

3. Mascara: this is a must-toss every season! After a while, mascara dries out and loses its lash lengthening and thickening power. Plus, any product that isn’t a solid is in danger of collecting bacteria. Glam out with your mascara and then replace it as soon as it shows any sign of dryness or starts to smell ‘off’, typically at about three months. By the way, resist ‘pumping’ your mascara – it makes it dry out even more quickly, and always toss your mascaras if you have an eye infection. Two mascaras to try for long, lush lashes are Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara and Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom.

L’Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler Moisturizer

4. Moisturizer: jar moisturizer lasts at the most 6 months. Go through all those open jars you know you have sitting on your shelves and toss anything you opened last fall. Not only do they become a potential hazard for your skin because of bacteria, but the active ingredients stop working so why bother? Try something new, like L’Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler Moisturizerto smooth out those lines and wrinkles.

Degree Dry Spray Deodorant

5. Deodorant: yes, deodorant does have a shelf life! While most have expiration dates, a good rule of thumb is two years. It’s a great idea to stock up on deodorant when it is on sale, but be sure to write your purchase date on the extras if they don’t have an expiration date. A great replacement is Degree Dry Spray. It sprays on dry and protects for up to 48 hours, so no worries on those hectic late mornings!

Neutrogena Cooldry Sport Sunscreen

6. Sunscreen: sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time and you sure don’t want to get a sunburn thanks to an outdated bottle. Most have an expiration date, but the longest any sunscreen will last is three years. My absolute favorite and a great one for restocking is Neutrogena Cooldry Sport. I can even get my kids to put this on without a fight.

Cover Girl Lip Lava

7. Lip gloss: a liquid product you apply to your lips? Of course lip gloss is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to beauty items that go bad and need to be replaced regularly. Replace your old lip glosses with Cover Girl Lip Lava. I adore this lip gloss! My favorite shade is Lava-Rider. I put it on then blot and I have a beautiful shimmery stain that lasts and lasts.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser

8. Face cleanser: these only last a year, so often a big bottle will expire before it’s gone. If your face cleanser isn’t working well, the consequences will definitely be evident to everyone! A great option for replacing your old stuff is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser. White tea and vitamin E ensure clean skin without any dryness.

Embrace spring cleaning and refresh that beauty stash! Be sure to go to Meijer Beauty to check out their new lineup of cosmetic and skin care items and restock for a beautiful YOU. – Lisa